Lilly Drafts Shaquille O'Neal to Raise Awareness for Moderate-to-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Rhea-AI Summary

Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) announced on Oct 27, 2025 a nationwide partnership with Shaquille O'Neal to expand the "Don't Sleep on OSA" campaign and raise awareness of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The initiative highlights that an estimated 24 million U.S. adults may have OSA, outlines common symptoms (loud snoring, choking/gasping, daytime sleepiness), and directs people to DontSleepOnOSA.com to learn more and talk to their healthcare provider.

Basketball legend, entrepreneur and entertainer Shaquille O'Neal partners with Lilly to shine a spotlight on moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), encouraging Americans to talk to their doctor

Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious, often underdiagnosed health condition that affects an estimated 24 million adults in the U.S.¹ – many of whom are overweight or living with obesity² – yet most cases remain undiagnosed

Shaquille O'Neal joins Lilly's Don't Sleep on OSA initiative, empowering people to recognize symptoms and talk to their healthcare providers

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced a new partnership with NBA Hall of Famer and cultural icon Shaquille O'Neal to launch a nationwide campaign raising awareness about moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The initiative aims to educate the public about the symptoms and potential health impacts of moderate-to-severe OSA, a serious but often overlooked health condition that impacts 24 million people in the U.S., many of whom are overweight or living with obesity.

Shaquille O'Neal is sharing his personal journey with moderate OSA in partnership with Lilly to urge people living with obesity not to ignore the symptoms of moderate-to-severe OSA, including loud snoring, choking and/or gasping for air while sleeping, daytime sleepiness, fatigue or irritability, which often remains undiagnosed. Through a series of digital and media activations that build on Lilly's Don't Sleep on OSA campaign, Shaquille will encourage people to recognize the symptoms of moderate-to-severe OSA and take action by visiting DontSleepOnOSA.com and by talking to their healthcare provider.

"Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is more than just snoring – it's a serious condition and it deserves serious attention," O'Neal shared. "For years, I was tired all the time and didn't know why, but getting diagnosed made a real difference. I'm not always one to ask for help, and I know it can be difficult to speak up when something is impacting you. I'm here to say don't ignore moderate-to-severe OSA symptoms – talk to your doctor."

Symptoms and Impacts: Why Addressing Moderate-to-Severe OSA Matters 
People with moderate-to-severe OSA may not get the necessary oxygen due to an airway that is partially or fully blocked at times during sleep³. Those with moderate OSA, like Shaquille, may experience breathing interruptions 15-29 times per hour, while 30 or more interruptions an hour may indicate severe OSA³. Risk factors for moderate-to-severe OSA include being of the male sex, obesity, being over the age of 50 and having a family history of OSA^{4 5 6}. In addition to breathing disruptions during sleep, moderate-to-severe OSA can also cause daytime sleepiness and reduced concentration.

"Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is a serious and often overlooked condition that affects millions of Americans," said Lina Polimeni, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Consumer, at Lilly. "By partnering with Shaquille O'Neal, someone who brings authenticity, relatability and cultural reach, we're aiming to break through the stigma and spark real conversations. This campaign, and the exciting work we're doing at Lilly, is about empowering people to recognize possible symptoms and take action."

Talk to your doctor about OSA if you experience symptoms including loud snoring, choking and/or gasping for air while sleeping, daytime sleepiness, fatigue or irritability.

To learn more about symptoms and risk factors for moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity, as well as tools for speaking to your doctor, visit DontSleepOnOSA.com.

About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. C-LLY

Refer to:	JohnMark Conklin; johnmark.conklin1@lilly.com ; 828-989-1717 (Media)
	Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@lilly.com; 317-617-0983 (Investors)

1	Benjafield AV, Ayas NT, Eastwood PR, et al. Estimation of the global prevalence and burden of obstructive sleep apnoea: a literature-based analysis. Lancet Respir Med. 2019;7(8):687-698.
2	Young T, Peppard PE, Taheri S. Excess weight and sleep-disordered breathing. J Appl Physiol. 2005;99(4):1592-1599.
3	Gottlieb DJ, Punjabi NM. Diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea: a review. JAMA. 2020;323(14):1389-1400.
4	Chang JL, Goldberg AN, Alt JA, et al. International consensus statement on obstructive sleep apnea. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2023;13(7):1061-1482.
5	Yeghiazarians Y, Jneid H, Tietjens JR, et al. Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;144(3):e56-e67.
6	Abbasi A, Gupta SS, Sabharwal N, et al. A comprehensive review of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Sci. 2021;14(2):142-154.

 

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

FAQ

What did Eli Lilly (LLY) announce on Oct 27, 2025 about Shaquille O'Neal?

Eli Lilly announced a partnership with Shaquille O'Neal to expand the "Don't Sleep on OSA" awareness campaign nationwide.

What is the focus of Lilly's "Don't Sleep on OSA" campaign led by Shaquille O'Neal?

The campaign focuses on raising awareness of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea symptoms and encouraging people to talk to their healthcare provider.

How many U.S. adults does Lilly cite as affected by moderate-to-severe OSA in the Oct 27, 2025 announcement?

Lilly cites an estimated 24 million U.S. adults as affected by OSA.

What symptoms of moderate-to-severe OSA does the Lilly campaign highlight?

The campaign highlights loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and irritability.

Where can people find resources recommended by Lilly and Shaquille O'Neal to learn about OSA?

Lilly directs people to DontSleepOnOSA.com for symptom information and tools to discuss OSA with a healthcare provider.

Does Lilly's Oct 27, 2025 announcement include clinical or financial data about treatments for OSA?

No; the announcement focuses on awareness, symptoms, risk factors, and resources rather than clinical trial or financial data.